16. If, however, it is rather our
desire to read or hear such things as are already prepared for our
use and expressed in a superior style, and if the consequence is
that we feel it irksome to put together, at the time and with an
uncertain issue, the terms of discourse on our own side, then,
provided only that our mind does not wander off from the truth of
the facts themselves, it is an easy matter for the hearer, if he is
offended by anything in our language, to come to see in that very
circumstance how little value should be set, supposing the subject
itself to be rightly understood, upon the mere fact that there may
have been some imperfection or some inaccuracy in the literal
expressions, which were employed indeed simply with the view of
securing a correct apprehension of the subject-matter. But if the
bent of human infirmity has wandered off from the truth of the
facts themselves,—although in the catechetical instruction of the
unlearned, where we have to keep by the most beaten track, that
cannot occur very readily,—still, lest haply it should turn out
that our hearer finds cause of offence even in this direction, we
ought not to deem this to have come upon us in any other way than
as the issue of God’s own wish to put us to the test with respect
to our readiness to receive correction in calmness of mind, so as
not to rush headlong, in the course of a still greater error, into
the defense of our error. But if, again, no one has told us of it,
and if the thing has altogether escaped our own notice, as well as
the observation of our hearers, then there is nothing to grieve
over, provided only the same thing does not occur a second time.
For the most part, however, when we recall what we have said, we
ourselves discover something to find fault with, and are ignorant
of the manner in which it was received when it was uttered; and so
when charity is fervent within us, we are the more vexed if the
thing, while really false, has been received with unquestioning
acceptance. This being the case, then, whenever an opportunity
occurs, as we have been finding fault with ourselves in silence, we
ought in like manner to see to it that those persons be also set
right on the subject in a considerate method, who have fallen into
some sort of error, not by the words of God, but plainly by those
used by us. If, on the other hand, there are any who, blinded by
insensate spite, rejoice that we have committed a mistake,
whisperers as they are, and slanderers, and “hateful to God,”14011401 Cf.
Rom. i.
30 such
characters should afford us matter for the exercise of patience
with pity, inasmuch as also the “patience of God leadeth them to
repentance.”14021402Rom. ii. 4. [See
R.V.] For what
is more detestable, and what more likely to “treasure up wrath in
the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of
God,”14031403Rom. ii. 5 than to
rejoice, after the evil likeness and pattern of the devil, in the
evil of another? At times, too, even when all is correctly and
truly spoken, either something which has not been understood, or
something which, as being opposed to the idea and wont of an old
error, seems harsh in its very novelty, offends and disturbs the
hearer. But if this becomes apparent, and if the person shows
himself capable of being set right, he should be set right without
any delay by the use of abundance of authorities and reasons. On
the other hand, if the offense is tacit and hidden, the medicine of
God is the effective remedy for it. And if, again, the person
starts back and declines to be cured, we should comfort ourselves
with that example of our Lord, who, when men were offended at His
word, and shrank from it as a hard saying, addressed Himself at the
same time to those who had remained, in these terms, “Will ye
also go away?”14041404John vi. 67 For it ought to be retained as a
thoroughly “fixed and immovable” position in our heart,
that 295Jerusalem which is in captivity is set free from the
Babylon of this world when the times have run their course, and
that none belonging to her shall perish: for whoever may perish was
not of her. “For the foundation of God standeth sure, having this
seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His; and, let every one that
nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”140514052 Tim. ii. 19 If we
ponder these things, and call upon the Lord to come into our heart,
we shall be less apprehensive of the uncertain issues of our
discourse, consequent on the uncertain feelings of our hearers; and
the very endurance of vexations in the cause of a work of mercy
will also be something pleasant to us, if we seek not our own glory
in the same. For then is a work truly good, when the aim of the
doer gets its impetus from charity,14061406A caritate
jaculatur and, as if returning to its own
place, rests again in charity. Moreover, the reading which delights
us, or any listening to an eloquence superior to our own, the
effect of which is to make us inclined to set a greater value upon
it than upon the discourse which we ourselves have to deliver, and
so to lead us to speak with a reluctant or tedious utterance, will
come upon us in a happier spirit, and will be found to be more
enjoyable after labor. Then, too, with a stronger confidence shall
we pray to God to speak to us as we wish, if we cheerfully submit
to let Him speak by us as we are able. Thus is it brought about
that all things come together for good to them that love God.14071407Concurrant in
bonumRom.
viii. 28